Harwich vs Rendlesham
Which is better to live in? Distance: 14.8 miles apart.
The verdict
Harwich is the more affordable option, with average house prices around 11% lower. Rendlesham has the lower crime rate of the two. For families, Rendlesham edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Harwich
£250,032
Rendlesham
£282,210
Crime Rate
Harwich
79.1
Rendlesham
61.5
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Harwich
87.5%
Rendlesham
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Harwich
387
Rendlesham
227.6
EPC Rating
Harwich
70
Rendlesham
69.2
Median Income
Harwich
£29,832
Rendlesham
£29,350
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in East of EnglandProperty in Rendlesham commands an average of £282,210, compared with £250,032 in Harwich – a difference of 11%. The most affordable entry point in Harwich is a flat at £115,300, while in Rendlesham it is a flat at £137,545.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: terraced homes are 22% pricier in Rendlesham (£253,906 vs £197,643).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Harwich prices grew faster — 47% vs 39%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in East of EnglandRendlesham has a crime rate of 61.5 per 1,000 residents, which is 29% lower than Harwich at 79.1 per 1,000. The most common crime category in Harwich is violent-crime, while in Rendlesham it is violent-crime.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Both towns share the same top crime category: violent crime.
Schools & Education
Best for schools in East of EnglandFamilies may prefer Rendlesham, where 100% of schools are in the top two inspection bands versus 87.5% in Harwich. There are 8 schools in Harwich and 1 in Rendlesham.
Harwich School Inspection Breakdown
87.5% of 8 schools (7 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Rendlesham School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 1 school (1 primary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Harwich | Rendlesham |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 8 | 1 |
| Primary | 7 | 1 |
| Secondary | 1 | 0 |
| % Top two bands | 87.5% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Average broadband speeds are 387.0 Mbps in Harwich and 227.6 Mbps in Rendlesham. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 96.8% of premises in Harwich and 90.1% in Rendlesham. Gigabit availability stands at 73.5% in Harwich and 36.6% in Rendlesham.
Harwich is the faster of the two by 70% on average download speed (387 vs 228 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
Harwich leads on energy efficiency with an average EPC score of 70 (D), while Rendlesham averages 69.2 (C). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,206 in Harwich and £1,314 in Rendlesham. 56.4% of homes in Harwich have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 60.6% in Rendlesham.
Rendlesham has more energy-efficient housing — 60.6% reach band C or above, vs 56.4% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Median household income is £29,832 in Harwich and £29,350 in Rendlesham. The median age is 50.3 in Harwich and 49.6 in Rendlesham. Owner-occupancy is 71.5% in Harwich versus 68.9% in Rendlesham. Employment rates stand at 46.7% in Harwich and 51.5% in Rendlesham.
| Indicator | Harwich | Rendlesham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 19,582 | 3,185 |
| Median Age | 50.3 | 49.6 |
| Median Household Income | £29,832 | £29,350 |
| Employment Rate | 46.7% | 51.5% |
| Owner Occupied | 71.5% | 68.9% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 19.9% | 27.6% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
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